Amber Meyer Smith

Proposed legislation would tighten rules for disposal of mercury-based thermostats. Though no longer made, many households still use them. But if thrown away or burned, that mercury can get into the environment.

A new bill would require manufacturers to pay for recycling programs, and make them easy to use by the public.

Amber Meyer Smith of advocacy group Clean Wisconsin…says it would be similar to the state’s e-waste recycling program.